2003 Game Recap

Ben Roethlisberger ended his college career in style passing for 376 yards and four first-half touchdowns to lead No. 14 Miami of Ohio to a 49-28 victory over Louisville in the 5th Annual GMAC Bowl

Roethlisberger completed 21 of 33 passes, shaking off would-be sacks and throwing perfect strikes on the run. After racing off to a 35-7 second quarter lead. Miami scored two more touchdowns in the fourth to stymie a rally by Louisville (9-4).

The RedHawks outgained Louisville 597-492 in a matchup of high-powered offenses.

Miami scored touchdowns on its first five possessions for a 28-point lead, but Louisville reciever J. R. Russell’s three TD catches cut it to a touchdown late in the third quarter. The Miami defense twice came up big in the fourth. Matt Pusateri stepped in front of Stefan LeFors’ pass and raced 35 yards for a touchdown to erase Louisville’s comeback hopes. Then, Terna Nande picked off another pass in the end zone. However, at that point the game had been decided..

Louisville quarterback Stefan LeFors was 17-of-26 for 224 yards but was intercepted three times after getting picked off only seven times in the first 12 games. J.R. Russell caught seven passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Lionel Gates carried 12 times for 128 yards, including an 88-yarder to set up Russell’s 2-yard touchdown catch as time expired in the first half. It was the third longest run from scrimmage in Louisville history, but he carried only twice after the half.